Click icon aboveto allow notifications from RTÉ

Select 'Allow'Once prompted by Chrome

Joe Ward wins gold for Ireland in Baku

Joe Ward claimed his second world title inside a year with a comfortable victory over Damien Hooper at the AIBA World Youth Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Monday.

The Westmeath teenager, who claimed light middleweight gold at the AIBA World Junior Championships in Armenia last May, beat Australian Hooper to the middleweight crown. Ward won on a scoreline of 6-1 over three, three minute rounds in today's 75kg final.

However, Belfast light flyweight Ryan Burnett had to settle for silver after he lost 9-4 to Salman Alizada of Azerbaijan in the 48kg decider.

Speaking after his win Ward, who along with Burnett has qualified for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in August, said that he was having difficulty believing that he had just created a unique piece of Irish amateur boxing history.

He said: ‘I still can't believe it and I think it will take a while for it to sink in that I'm a double world champion.

‘I'm thrilled with the win and very proud to be taking home gold for Ireland from this tournament.’

RTÉ.ie is the website of Raidió Teilifís Éireann, Ireland's National Public Service Broadcaster. RTÉ is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. Images courtesy of Inpho.ie and Getty Images